DXB/AIR exhibition

We’re super stoked to announce our next photo exhibition with DXB/AIR kicking off on Sunday 11th October. When I finished up shooting out the helicopter for my book ‘Dubai Aerial Tour’, I knew then that the content I’d amassed would lead to a grand exhibition. And here it is!

What’s on show? Thirty of my own favourite aerial images, all shot from a helicopter… yes, the real McCoy! The result is a cool mix of tight abstract landscape details, hidden treats, unique and creative uses of lenses and an awesome variation of colour, form and texture covering all corners of Dubai.

We launch the exhibition at the super chic office and leisure destination, The Boulevard, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, where our big black columns will be on display bang in the middle of the atrium. What a prestigious location to start our two and a half months road show. On the 1st of November we shift the installation to the much-loved arabesque Souk Madinat Jumeirah, where our display will remain until UAE National Day. Finally, we close our tour at the biggest Audi showroom in the world… where else but the Al Nabooda dealership on Sheikh Zayed Road.

A massive shout out to our sponsors without whose generous support, energy and trust, none of this would have been possible. Jacqueline at Jumeirah was the first to embrace the exhibition by opening the doors to Emirates Towers and Souk Madinat. Without a home, there simply is no exhibition so my sincere thanks for giving us a stunning roof over our heads. As a Canon brand ambassador, I knew I could count on the support of the Canon Middle East team, my trusted partner in large format printing gear, photography equipment, social media and PR. I’ve worked with Ali al Naboodah and Inken Wessels for eight years and I’m deeply grateful for the support they have shown. Integral to the entire gig was of course, the helicopter, without which there would be no aerial images. Andy Nettleton and the team at Heli Dubai have been truly amazing. During the many hours flight time, Captain Andy was my trusted partner and I loved working with him.

Over the course of the coming months there will be a series of activations with exclusive tours, workshops, helicopter access, retail opportunities and viewings. For those still looking for the perfect Christmas gift, stay tuned to my blog for ideas. If you’re eager to get your hands on a treasured keepsake right now, grab yourself a copy of the best selling book ‘Dubai Aerial Tour’. It’s widely available throughout the UAE and by purchase online here.

Each image tell a story… I think of them as conversation prints. Presentation, as a result, is just as important as the images themselves. I wanted to avoid the obvious route of frames on easels. That’s not what my brand stands for or how I live and work.

For this exhibition, I wanted to create more of an art installation so I designed the final concept on RAW with massive freestanding columns and scruffy old wood, once upon a time, scaffolding planks from the Dubai’s construction boom. The planks alone hold a remarkable story and sit perfectly alongside our philosophy. Why chop down more trees if you don’t need to? So we transformed rustic planks into columns and finished with a super shiny, sleek and sexy black gloss. The lit-up prints fall deep inside the box, like those old TV units.

A big thanks to the team at Le Chamarel joinery for handling my constant flow changes and last minute amendments with total patience. They’ve done an outstanding job putting it all together.

The prints were all produced in-house on our Canon iPF8400 and produced on Canon backlit film. New to backlit prints, it was helpful to be able to continuously run sample prints, place them on the LED panels and make adjustments whenever necessary. The quality speaks for itself and I remain delighted to work with such pro gear.

I do hope you make it down to absorb the images in real life, share them with friends and help spread the word.